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Ireland / Flu in Ireland in the late 1890s. Death certs inaccurate?
« on: Friday 06 February 15 15:21 GMT (UK) »
Hi all,
I'm following up a family story that 4 of my ancestors died of the Flu, within about 2 months of each other in Dec 1897/Feb 1898 in Mayo. I have obtained their death certs and all four have given different causes of death:
Cancer of the stomach (3 months certified). Aged 68
Ulcer of the stomach (3 days certified). Aged 38
Bronchitis (3 weeks). Aged 63
Epilepsy (4 weeks certified). Aged 41
I have been googling flu outbreaks and haven't found any at that time in Ireland. Has anyone heard of any flu or other types of outbreaks at that time? Is it possible that these causes of deaths could have been made up by the doctor to prevent panic that there was an outbreak?
I'm following up a family story that 4 of my ancestors died of the Flu, within about 2 months of each other in Dec 1897/Feb 1898 in Mayo. I have obtained their death certs and all four have given different causes of death:
Cancer of the stomach (3 months certified). Aged 68
Ulcer of the stomach (3 days certified). Aged 38
Bronchitis (3 weeks). Aged 63
Epilepsy (4 weeks certified). Aged 41
I have been googling flu outbreaks and haven't found any at that time in Ireland. Has anyone heard of any flu or other types of outbreaks at that time? Is it possible that these causes of deaths could have been made up by the doctor to prevent panic that there was an outbreak?